Hanover Veterans Memorial Park bench honors Sgt. Chesna

Friday

A bench dedicated to former Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna, a Hanover resident, was unveiled this week at the Hanover Veterans Memorial, honoring Chesna's service in the Army.

Chesna was killed in the line of duty in Weymouth on July 15, 2018.

The bench was officially dedicated to Chesna during a ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 6 that was attended by Hanover town officials, Cub Scout Pack 39 and Chesna’s family.

The memorial is located in front of the gazebo next to Sylvester School at 65 Silver St.

“It’s very important that my husband is to be remembered for his services and sacrifices to his country and community,” said Chesna’s widow, Cindy. “This is really amazing how people came out and helped my family when we need it most. I don’t want him to ever be forgotten. He was a soldier before he was a police officer and he was a hero. I don’t want people to forget that.”

Despite the rainy conditions, the ceremony was planned accordingly with tents set up, and the ceremony went off beautifully, according to Hanover Veterans Service Officer Ben Quelle.

The turnout of nearly 50 people “wasn’t surprising” to Quelle due to the impact Chesna’s death has had on the community. The project began with the generosity of The Hanover Club, a women’s community service and social club, which he describes as a “group of citizens that felt like they had to do something” to honor Chesna.

When Quelle addressed the crowd, he spoke of many similarities between himself and Chesna despite never crossing paths. They both served in the 10th Mountain Division 187th infantry battalion, were deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq and have the same birthday on April 15.

“He was also able to obtain several medals that can only be earned by an individual that serves in the theater of combat,” Quelle said. “While he was there, Michael was injured in a manner that was significant enough where those injuries had to have been sustained at the hands of enemy fire.”

The Bronze Star is only issued to an individual in combat who “goes above and beyond” what is expected for someone in a leadership role, as he was an NCO (non-commissioned officer) at the time. He also was awarded a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal and NATO Medal.

Both places Chesna served in combat, Iraq and Afghanistan, also come with a campaign medal and he also received the professional development commission ribbon after graduating from the non-commissioned officers academy, according to Quelle.